Behind the scenes of a city’s season of triathlon

A photojournalist who captured candid scenes from Yorkshire’s successful Grand Depart is training her lens on triathlon as part of a unique new project.

Jude Palmer, who was the official behind-the-scenes photographer for the
2014 Tour de France opening stages in Yorkshire, has now been commissioned by
the University of Leeds, British Triathlon and partners to capture a year in
the life of the worlds most successful triathlon city  Leeds.

She has been granted access to both training and competitions and will
capture the essence of what makes the centre and its athletes so successful.
She will follow the progress of athletes from Yorkshire Regional Academy right
through to elite athletes performing on the international stage, as well as
depicting the working lives of the teams of coaches and support staff whose
vital efforts often remain undocumented.

I am so
excited to be documenting this fantastic season of triathlon, she said. Leeds
will soon host the ITU World Triathlon Series for the second time and it will
be an honour to show, through my images, the story of how this sport has grown
and developed in Yorkshire  and in particular Leeds.

I am also
enjoying working with British Triathlon, exposing the technical aspects of the
sport as well as behind-the-scenes images, treating us to glimpses of this
fascinating endurance sport.

The city of Leeds is synonymous with triathlon  from the interest in the
sport from the citys schoolchildren, through our thriving community clubs to
having the very best athletes in the world.

Jack
Buckner, Chief Executive of British
Triathlon, said: This is an exciting project for the
sport and for Leeds. Triathlon is a great visual sport that appeals to so
many different audiences. We're delighted to support the recording of
this journey."

For his part,
Patrick Craig, an Assistant Head of Sport at the University of Leeds, said:
The city of Leeds is synonymous with triathlon  from the interest in the
sport from the citys schoolchildren, through our thriving community clubs to
having the very best athletes in the world.

We are proud
of our association with the sport and the part we play in supporting its growth
and success across all levels of participation. The opening of our new Brownlee
Centre and cycle circuit are testament to this and we are delighted to be
working with Jude and British Triathlon to document what it takes to be a world
leading sporting centre.

Her images
will show the blood, sweat and tears it takes to train and perform at the very
highest level.

Funding for the project has come from legal firm Simpson Millar, which has its headquarters in
Leeds.

Partner Emma Pearmaine
said: Simpson Millar is very proud to be supporting this project. Leeds is a
key part of our history and we are very excited to see the World Series return
to the city for the second time. Simpson Millar is extremely honoured to be a
part of, and support, these incredible sportsmen and women in what is such a
challenging event.?"